Loved ones are remembering a Hanford mother

Members of the community are mourning the loss of a Hanford mother, who police believe was killed by her husband.

Investigators are trying to piece together the details, to figure out why Todd Pate would kill his wife, Melanie in their home.

Friends and family members left candles outside of Melanie and Todd Pate's home Tuesday, in memory of the 42-year-old mother.

Melanie was known to many around town as youth sports enthusiast, especially when it came to baseball, which is what her and Todd's 13-year-old son played.

Glenda Champlin said, "Loved the sport loved the kids I just hate to see when there's not enough parents to help the kids and Melanie was the kind that she could make up for 2 or 3 parents."

Many involved in youth baseball say Melanie was always on the field, always helping out. She volunteered her time keeping score, organizing tournament information and lent a hand whenever needed.

"She was very involved," said Champlin. "We were always able to depend on her for anything. Anytime you ask her to do something she would follow through."

Hanford police received a 9-1-1 call from Melanie's husband, Todd Pate, Monday afternoon. Police say he told them-he had just killed his wife and needed them to come to his house. He was taken into custody shortly after.

Capt. Parker Sever with the Hanford Police Department said, "We know that she suffered a laceration to her neck probably caused by a sharp instrument and at some point she ended up in the pool."

Investigators are still looking into the reason behind the killing, but knew they were going through a divorce.

Friends tell Action News the divorce is recent and that Melanie had just served Todd divorce papers last Friday.

Still, many are dumbfounded that their relationship would end with her murder.

Capt. Parker Sever added, "They'd been married for about 22 years and after speaking to neighbors and stuff we've never had a call for service there involving domestic violence or arguments or anything escalating to that level."

Melanie's friends say the loss of their friend is gut-wrenching. They are holding a community vigil for her Wednesday night at 8:30 at the Bob Hill Youth Complex.